What are affirmations and how do they help success?

Impressing your goals and images on your mind is a key component of my formula for success….achieving what I want from life.

Affirmations are simple, memorable, over-the-top statements that you read and/or listen to multiple times per day. The goal is to begin believing whatever the affirmations tell you. For example, if you believe your $20,000 per year salary is normal and that a $100,000 per year salary is unachievable, you need an affirmation. The affirmation will be one component of your metamorphosis from a $20k earner to a six-figure earner. Affirmations allow you to replace doubtful, negative, or uncertain, this is normal, and “can’t do” thoughts and replace them with positive, affirmative, that can be my normal, and “can do” thoughts.

Affirmations are also a key part of the foundation to how I quit the corporate life. You can read about it in my bestseller Leave Grind Behind.

How affirmations change your beliefs and help you take action

Without first truly believing something is possible, you will not begin taking the other steps and actions in your life that lead to actual change. And this is really the key, if you first talk your mind into believing something is possible, then you take action and achieve even a small result reinforcing this possibility, you have now completely altered what is possible for you. This article will show you how to use affirmations to take action toward massive goals.

“If I’ve learned anything in life, it is that if you believe something is possible, you tend to focus on the constructive means necessary to make that possibility a reality. I’ve also learned to believe the opposite. If you don’t think something is possible, then you will be blinded to the ways it could be done. It’s like a self-imposed blind spot.” – Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty International – The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

How affirmations help you accomplish big goals

Many big goals are difficult to imagine accomplishing. You may have no idea how you will accomplish them. Other people may reinforce this by chuckling at your goals. You may not know anyone who has accomplished them. In these circumstances, what are the chances you will actually begin making the right changes in your life to ultimately accomplish these big goals? Affirmations allow you to close this gap, change your belief, and begin taking meaningful actions. They are the first step to change.

Affirmations are magical. I have written down a lot of crazy things. Things that seemed completely unreasonable. But like clockwork, after days, weeks, or months of reading them daily, something magical happens. Suddenly the idea I had written down doesn’t seem crazy. In fact, I now have several inspired ideas of how to accomplish the goal. Perhaps I’ve met a person who has already accomplished it and now we’re in communication. Or maybe I’ve found a book that provides the information I was missing. Whatever it is, I’ve tricked my subconscious into working for me and solving a massive problem, which is a bigger scale version of what I describe in my article 4 Steps on How to Delegate to Your Subconscious.

What is the difference between affirmations and goals?

By now, you may think I’m confusing goals and affirmations. Perhaps. Goalfirmations? In truth, I treat them one in the same; I need to guide myself into believing the goal is possible so that I can move to action. Affirmations are my tool. If I break it down, here are the two primary purposes I use affirmations for:

Purpose 1: overcoming a negative trait, habit, or self-image

Do you think you’re a bad public speaker? Flip that negative into a positive, written affirmation, and alter your belief.

Personally, I can get too caught up in analysis and research, even though I have all I need to take action. I need to get going, take action, start earlier, and adjust as I go. To counter this problem, I have an affirmation saying: “I take action. Ready, fire, aim. I am action-oriented!” This reminds me to fire, adjust my aim, and then fire again. Other people may need to slow down and do more research, but for me, I need to teach myself that I’m action-oriented, and this affirmation has made a difference.

Can’t stick with an exercise plan? –> “I am on top of my exercise plan, which is why I am fit, healthy, and feeling fantastic.”

Can’t get your nose out of your phone during family time? –> “I am empathetic, distraction-free listener. I am incredibly close to and love interacting with my family.”

“I am a really good actor. I have all kinds of great movie offers. Movie offers are out there for me, I just don’t hear them yet.” – Jim Carrey

Purpose 2: making huge goals seem reasonable

I have a goal to reach a high degree of wealth, while also feeling very fulfilled and having plenty of time for friends, family, and community. In my previous role, this seemed impossible. Everyone I knew was working very long hours. They were stressed. It was normal to have to chug your way up the chain in order to achieve only the wealth side of the equation. While they and I were making good money, it was not enough to reach my goal on salary alone. Given the time commitment, it was difficult to pursue other options for growing wealth. And I certainly wasn’t achieving the work-life balance I wanted. All of this made achieving my goal seem insanely difficult, or even impossible. The environment I was in and the people I was around all contradicted the goal and painted a different reality.

Enter affirmations. I continued to tell myself that despite what I was seeing day in and day out, my goal was possible. How did this turn out? I’m not there yet, but I found someone who is actually living very close to my goal. I left my job and am learning from him. I am now far closer to my goal than I ever was before. I am literally in a new reality. I level jumped. Since my subconscious was primed, as soon as the opportunity presented itself, I was able to recognize what it was and act on it. Thank you affirmations.

The truth is, there are many, many people who have already achieved the same goal I have. I just needed to see that. If you think your goal is impossible, rare, difficult, or something only available to a select few, get some affirmations in gear to get over those negative, and most importantly, false beliefs.

How do you write great affirmations?

Here are the fundamental components to include in your affirmations:

Step 1: Think about your goals. For each goal, what belief keeps you from taking action today? What belief keeps you from making your goal much, much bigger? Focus on this belief. We want to change it! e.g. I cannot make a lot of money without working excessively. Or I cannot have a successful marriage and a highly successful career.

Step 2: Alternatively, identify negative self-images or negative thoughts you have about yourself. e.g. I am overweight. Or Nobody at work respects my opinion.

Step 3: Now, turn your belief on its head and define how you want the world to work. e.g. I can make a lot of money without working excessively. Or I can have a successful marriage and a highly successful career. Or I am beautiful and at a perfect, healthy weight. Or People at work highly respect my opinions.

Step 4: Start your affirmation with “I am…” Affirmations are about altering your beliefs; you are in charge of yourself.

Step 5: You are in charge–don’t limit yourself. You say how the world works. Don’t think your affirmation is ridiculous.

Step 6: The wording should be positive rather than negative.

Step 7: Add emotion and feeling words to make it more memorable.

Step 8: Affirmations can overlap heavily with goals. If you don’t feel you have a belief holding you back from achieving a goal in a particular area of life, go ahead and jot down a measurable goal. But if you’re not taking action on the goal, dig deeper and create an affirmation to get the ball rolling.

A great use of affirmations would be for people who are afraid of public speaking. Applying the tips here, we’d get a career affirmation that looks something like: “I am an outstanding public speaker. People love my presentations; they are riveted as I speak in an eloquent, well prepared, engaging manner.“

Conclusion

This article should give you great perspective on using affirmations to achieve your goals and realize your concept of success. For more:

About The Author

My name is Justin Gesso, author of the Bestselling Book "Leave the Grind Behind." Just about a decade ago I was rockin' the "American Dream." I had an MBA and a good run in the corporate world. I was comfortable…but something wasn't right. So I put together a plan and quit my job. I quickly started earning way more money and enjoying much more flexibility. Instead of building a life to suit my job, I have built money-markers that suit my life. More About Justin Gesso

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Meet the Author

Justin Gesso is a bestselling author, MBA, and accomplished entrepreneur. He thrives on helping others achieve their own personal freedom through the creation of simple money machines, side hustles, and small businesses.